Vishal  Menon

Vishal Menon

Author

Vishal has been a writer and a critic for over 10 years. He writes predominantly about Malayalam and Tamil cinema.

MORE FROM VISHAL MENON

A still from 'Valathu Vashathe Kallan'
Theatrical

'Valathu Vashathe Kallan' Movie Review: Jeethu Joseph Regains Lost Form In This Procedural

Anchored by a great Biju Menon performance, director Jeethu Joseph explores the theme of parenting in 'Valathu Vashathe Kallan', narrating stories of all the personal battles that come your way when you try to bury your secrets.

BY Vishal Menon
Riya Shibu and a poster of 'Sarvam Maya'
Interviews

How Delulu Became Her Solulu: Actor-Influencer Riya Shibu On Charming Nivin Pauly and Movie Audiences in 'Sarvam Maya'

Riya Shibu finds that her life has changed beyond reconciliation after the release of Nivin Pauly’s blockbuster 'Sarvam Maya.' From botched audition calls to feeling like she’s not got enough, Riya feels that all it took was the magic of a friendly ghost to turn things around

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Chatha Pacha'
Insight

How To 'Malayalify' Shawn Michaels: 'Chatha Pacha' Costume Designer Melwy F On Bringing His Crazy Wrestling Outfit Ideas To Life

The award-winning costume designer of films such as 'Minnal Murali' and 'Lokah Chapter One: Chandra', breaks down the costume ideas behind five locally made WWE-style wrestlers in his new superhit Malayalam film.

BY Vishal Menon
Night Shift Studios, based out of Chennai, has delivered two consecutive horror blockbusters in Malayalam — 'Bramayugam' and 'Dies Irae'
Interviews

Ghost Protocol: Inside The Chennai-Based Production House That Exclusively Makes Horror Movies

With Night Shift Studios, producer Chakravarthy Ramachandra proves there’s serious money in making audiences scream.

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Baby Girl'
Theatrical

'Baby Girl' Movie Review: No Room For Nuance In Nivin Pauly's Silly Thriller 

What we then end up with in 'Baby Girl' is a film that’s no match to the classic the same team made with 'Traffic' more than a decade ago.

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Chatha Pacha'
Theatrical

'Chatha Pacha' Movie Review: The Boys Are OK In This Well-Made Nostalgic Action Comedy 

'Chatha Pacha' may not be a Stone Cold stunner, but works as a great tribute to a group of boys, who dared to try it at home... just like we all did

BY Vishal Menon
Roshan Mathew in a still from ‘Chatha Pacha’
Interviews

‘Chatha Pacha’ Is the Most Physically Demanding Film I’ve Done: Roshan Mathew

The actor on training for the ring, injury-proofing the body, and why authenticity mattered in the WWE-inspired Malayalam film.

BY Vishal Menon
Arjun Ashokan Confirms Mammootty Cameo in 'Chatha Pacha'
Insight

Exclusive | Arjun Ashokan Confirms Mammootty Cameo in 'Chatha Pacha': 'Mammukka Is Just The Same'

Arjun plays a wrestler named Loco Lobo in the action comedy 

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Vaa Vaathiyaar'
Theatrical

'Vaa Vaathiyar' Movie Review: Something Is Amiss In Karthi's Vigilante Movie Remix

Director Nalan Kumarasamy and Karthi's film doesn't do enough with its several fascinating ideas and premise

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Sirai'
Theatrical

'Sirai' Movie Review: Well-Written Drama About a Cop Transforming from Hero to Human

With many smart touches in the writing, Vikram Prabhu's 'Sirai' makes a living, breathing life form of what could easily have remained an intellectual exercise

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Mindiyum Paranjum'
Theatrical

'Mindiyum Paranjum' Movie Review: Aparna Balamurali and Unni Mukundan's Long-Distance Relationship Drama is a Thing of Joy

Aparna Balamurali and Unni Mukundan share a joyous chemistry in this intimate take on the long-distance relationship

BY Vishal Menon
Mohanlal in 'Hridayapoorvam', Kalyani Priyadarshan in 'Lokah' and Mammootty in 'Kalamkaval'
Columns

The Best Malayalam Film Performances Of 2025

Superhero movies with a callback to folk tales, a horror movie that begins with a hero “ghosting” his girlfriend and a flashback to the Mohanlal-Sathyan Anthikad comedies of the 80’s…Malayalam cinema had it all this year. In a year of such variety, performances couldn’t have been ordinary  

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Pharma'
Streaming

'Pharma' Series Review: Earnest Nivin Pauly In A Medico-Thriller That Requires Patience

As clunky as the making might seem, 'Pharma' works best as a fairly engaging second-screen experience.

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Bha Bha Ba'
Theatrical

'Bha Bha Ba' Movie Review: Dileep’s Mass Action Comeback Is Absolute Gibberish

In its effort to create a film that tries to be wild, we’re left feeling like we’re watching gibberish on screen.

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Kalamkaval'
Theatrical

'Kalamkaval' Movie Review: Mammootty Like Never Before In This Genre-Defining Thriller

Vinayakan is surely the film’s driving force, but Mammootty also shows us a side to him that we haven’t yet witnessed before

BY Vishal Menon
A still from 'Stephen'
Streaming

'Stephen' Movie Review: Explosive Ideas In This Uneven Serial Killer Origin Story

This experiment never devolves into a mere indulgence and director Mithun maintains control over his complex material, even when it looks like it’s slipping away

BY Vishal Menon
Bahul Ramesh and a still from 'Eko'
Interviews

'Eko' Explained: Bahul Ramesh Deconstructs the Layers of His Hit Thriller (Spoilers Ahead)

Bahul Ramesh, the writer-cinematographer of the Malayalam mystery thriller 'Eko,' explains the hidden meanings and secrets of the third film in his Animal Trilogy.

BY Vishal Menon
Keerthy Suresh in 'Revolver Rita'
Theatrical

'Revolver Rita' Movie Review: A Lazy Comedy That Comes 15 Years Too Late

'Revolver Rita', in all fairness, appears to be a film that was found in one of the old Seagate hard disks of a gone era.

BY Vishal Menon
Victoria
Theatrical

'Victoria' Movie Review: Meenakshi Jayan's Rock-Solid Performance Anchors This Moving Sisterhood Drama 

Written and directed by Sivaranjini, 'Victoria' is a moving drama, peppered with humour.

BY Vishal Menon
Posters of Mankatha, Yennai Arindhaal, Kadhal Kottai, Vaalee, and Dheena.
Insight

Ajith Kumar's Journey in Milestones: Five Of His Most Memorable Performances

These five key performances turned Ajith Kumar into one of Indian cinema’s most enduring stars.

BY Vishal Menon